Pittsburgh Irish Festival

10/17/2026

SAMHAIN
Dance with the Shadow to Know the Light

A Celtic Fire Festival marking the liminal midpoint between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice and celebrating the ancient roots of Halloween

NOVEMBER 1, 2026 - 3-9 PM

THE HISTORIC CARRIE BLAST FURNACES - PITTSBURGH, PA

Local food & drink, crafts, vendors,
and Autumn revelry for the whole family

Live music & dance performances by
Devilish Merry, Denizen, the Coleman brothers,and surprise special guests.

Mind-bending immersive ritual experience through the heart of the Furnace Powerhouse

Spine tingling, moon howling, feet pulsing bonfire dance party, set to the eclectic tunes of legendary underground DJ Global FM.

Step through the veil, into a post-industrial otherworld, rife with steampunk ghouls, púca creatures, and elemental spirit finding form.

Give shape to your fears and dress for the journey (warm, in-world attire encouraged).

ONE NIGHT ONLY.
​A transformational experience to remember.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/samhain-tickets-2001257892228?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/16/2026

Organizers for the annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival have set a $200,000 fundraising goal, saying a combination of bad weather and financial setbacks have put its future in question. “It’s been a series of unfortunate events, really,” said Mairin Petrone, the festival’s executive director and...

10/15/2026

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival needs donations to continue the longstanding tradition, organizers said. FULL STORY⬇️

10/14/2026

The Irish Partnership of Pittsburgh's campaign looks to raise $200,000 after years of financial pressure.

10/14/2026

For over 35 years, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival has brought our community together to celebrate Irish music, dance, history, heritage, and culture. It’s a place where generations have made memories, traditions have been shared, and friendships have been formed.

Today, we’re asking our community to help us protect its future.

Over the past several years, we’ve faced extraordinary challenges — from the devastating flood of 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic to the significant costs of relocating the Festival twice, rising operational expenses, and decreasing funding opportunities.

Most recently, severe weather during this year’s Festival significantly impacted some of our most important hours, creating another substantial financial setback.

For the first time in our 35-year history, the future of the annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival is uncertain.

But we’re not giving up.

We’re launching KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE, a community fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $200,000 to help secure the future of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival.

And while we’re working to protect our annual Festival, we remain committed to our year-round cultural programming, including BRIGID, the Celtic Fire Festival Series, Celtic Rock Christmas, and the many other ways we bring Irish culture to our community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

💚 Make a Donation: Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. givebutter.com/savepif

🔥 Attend an Upcoming Event: Join us for Samhain on November 1 or Celtic Rock Christmas on December 10.

✈️ Enter Our Raffles: Our Vagabond Ireland trip and golf trip raffles have been extended through October!

🤝 Host a Fundraiser or Become a Sponsor: Help us bring our community together in support of the Festival.

📣 Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your friends, family, and networks.

We’re also introducing a special Legacy Donor Program for supporters contributing $10,000 or more, with opportunities for Festival area naming recognition, lifetime Festival admission privileges, and other special benefits.

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival has always been built by its community. Now, we’re inviting that community to help build its future.

We believe our best chapters are still ahead. And with your help, we can keep the tradition alive for generations to come.

💚 DONATE TODAY: givebutter.com/savepif

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival is produced by the Irish Partnership of Pittsburgh, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

10/05/2026

🎄 We’re baccckk!!! ☘️

Join us Thursday, December 10 at Velum Fermentation for the 2nd Annual Celtic Rock Christmas, presented by the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and YaJagoff! 🎸🔥

🎶 Live music from Ally the Piper, The Low Kings, & The Bastard Bearded Irishmen
🎁 Raffle
🥫 Collection for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
🛍️ Irish Christmas shopping..and so much more!

This one sold out fast last year, so grab your tickets now! 🎟️

🗓️ Thursday, December 10
📍 Velum Fermentation

🔗 Link for tickets! https://tr.ee/celtic-rock-christmas

10/02/2026

The Association of Irish and Celtic Festivals (AICF) will hold its next annual conference in Kansas City, MO, on May 7-8, 2027. Representatives from numerous festivals will be there to book performers for their upcoming festivals in 2027 and beyond. We are looking for bands that love and play Irish/Celtic music, of all genres.

All showcasing artists whose travel might require it must be able to obtain visas and travel to North America for festival performances during the summer festival circuit (mostly June through September) in 2027 and/or 2028.

*Note for bands from outside the USA -- For performing at this showcase, you would only need an ESTA visa and not the working visa required for spring/summer/fall festivals, since you aren’t being paid to play but simply showcasing talents for our festival attendees.

Please go to the link below and fill out your submission information.

Submissions open October 1, 2026, and the application deadline is January 1, 2027. Our entertainment committee is made up of different North American festival members who will view each submission, but please remember there are only a limited number of showcase slots available. All artists will be notified by email, accepted or not, by January 15, 2027.

*All acts selected are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation costs. Rooms will be available in our convention hotel room block at a rate of $180/night. Our hotel is The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.

**Artist Showcases will take place at a location to be announced, with high-quality lighting and sound.

Thank you for your interest!

AICF Showcase Committee

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcCnY29mm4b3v2LhCkcPmU1b4DUI-WRyHkk9GH5nMWKeVYWA/viewform?zlinkid=f69a870b-608b-44f0-a813-ba7fecd00c11

09/29/2026

☘️ You still have time! Our THREE Ireland raffles have been extended! ✈️🇮🇪

Last chance to enter for your shot at a 7 Day World Tour of Ireland, a round trip flight through our 35 for 35 Campaign, or the Ultimate Irish Golf Getaway. 🎟️

🔗 Link https://linktr.ee/pghirishfest?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAUomNhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAmZkaWQWUPWmEITc4HB3mT5AXnEozV6cWu4G3XNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp4854g8ChfT_5se5R1yuVCc04K8ktHL5MeEVv5wtM7R6BVkiLt8IHVieXClH_aem_AuMeQ8fvkoA90_C2UAcr9A

don’t miss your shot at Ireland!

Preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Irish culture since 1991!

09/28/2026

🔥 The final fire is coming. 🍂

Step into a modern echo of Samhain (SOW-win), the ancient Celtic fire festival marking the midpoint between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice, and the ancient roots of Halloween. 🎃✨

Encounter the shadow to know the light. Join us for mind-bending ritual art, live Irish music and dance, participatory art-making, community ritual, and local food and drink. Autumn revelry for the whole family, all in one immersive night at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. 🌙

The fourth and final installment of our Celtic Fire Festival series, Samhain is presented by the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and Anam Arts. People of all ages and walks of life are welcome.

🗓️ Sunday, November 1 | 3-9 PM
📍 Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark
801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218

🎟️ Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/samhain-tickets-2001257892228?aff=oddtdtcreator

One night only. 🔥

A Celtic Fire Festival marking the midpoint between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice and celebrating the ancient roots of Halloween.